Arsène Wenger Says Arsenal Can Finish Second

Arsène Wenger has claimed a second place Premier League finish is not beyond Arsenal.

The Gunners narrowly defeated Aston Villa 2-1 on Saturday to take them to within one point of north London rivals Tottenham, in fourth.

Arsenal travel to Spurs, who face West Ham on Monday night, on Sunday and Wenger is cautiously optimistic his side could finish above not just them, but Chelsea and Manchester City.

"Man City is not out of reach. It could be a tight fight until the end," said the Arsenal boss.

"I'm not sure it will only be a fight with Tottenham," he added when asked about Arsenal's supposed fourth-place target. "I'm not sure the other places are not reachable.

"Chelsea are just ahead and even Manchester City is not out of reach. It could be a tight fight until the end."

Aiming higher than fourth

City are nine points clear of Arsenal, who have not finished second since the 2004-05 season when Chelsea won their first title in 50 years. It was also the Gunners' last campaign in which they won a trophy.

Rodgers said on 14 December: "For me the ambition is to grow higher. We are 11 points off second and that can all turn around very quickly so you need to get consistency - and that is what we have at the minute."

Liverpool are now 17 points behind second-place City.

Arsenal have 11 league games remaining to salvage some achievement from their season, with the club in jeopardy of missing out on Champions League football for the first time in 16 years.

Should Spurs finish above their local adversaries it will be the first time they have done so since the 1994-95 season.